Node
別名: Network Node, Blockchain Node
A computer that maintains a copy of the blockchain and helps validate and relay transactions across the network.
A node is a computer connected to a blockchain network that maintains a copy of the ledger and participates in network operations. Nodes are essential for decentralization, ensuring no single entity controls the network.
Types of nodes:
Full Nodes: - Store the complete blockchain history - Independently validate all transactions and blocks - Enforce consensus rules - Provide maximum security and decentralization
Light Nodes (SPV - Simplified Payment Verification): - Store only block headers, not full transaction history - Rely on full nodes for transaction verification - Faster to set up, use less storage - Common in mobile wallets
Archive Nodes: - Store everything a full node does plus historical states - Used by block explorers and analytics services - Require significant storage (terabytes for Ethereum)
Mining/Validator Nodes: - Special nodes that create new blocks - Miners in PoW systems, validators in PoS systems - Earn rewards for block production
Running your own node: - Contributes to network decentralization - Provides privacy (no reliance on third parties) - Ensures you verify your own transactions - Typically requires 500GB-2TB storage depending on the blockchain